GLOUCESTER: Robert M. Williams, retired banker and civic leader, 81, died Monday, July 6, 2009 at his home following a brief illness. He was the husband of Judith A. (Brown) Williams.
Born in Gloucester on July 14, 1927, he was the son of the late Oliver and Thelma (Nelson) Williams. A lifelong resident of Gloucester, he was a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1945 and the Lynn Burdett College class of 1949. He was also a graduate of the Williams College School of Banking. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Far East and Persian Gulf including Japan, Korea, China, Ceylon and Saudi Arabia before being honorably discharged in August 1946.
In 1954, Bob started his banking career as a teller with the Gloucester Safe Deposit & Trust Company, later becoming the Cape Ann Bank & Trust Company, where he worked for over thirty-five years. In February of 1987, he became a founding member of the Gloucester Bank & Trust, where he retired as a Senior Vice-President in August 1989.
As a civic leader, Bob was a former Director and Treasurer of the Cape Ann Y.M.CA. and twice Past-President of the “Y” Men’s Club; former Director of the Cape Ann Commercial Fisherman’s Loan Fund, Inc.; member and former Director of the Gloucester Rotary Club; former Director, Clerk and Assistant Treasurer of the Cape Ann Investment Corp. and a former Incorporator of the Addison Gilbert Hospital. Bob also served as the Treasurer for the Gloucester’s 350th Anniversary celebration in 1973; Past Area Treasurer for the Arthritis Foundation; former Treasurer of the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce; former Treasurer and Director of the Gloucester Little League; former member of the Board of Governors for the International Dory Racing Committee and a member of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion.
An active member of the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, he also served as a Moderator and former Chairman of the Board of Managers. He was also a former member of The Tyrian Lodge, A.F. & A.M. and the Main Street Bowling League for many years. Bob has “walked the Boulevard” all his life, touching many sides of the city with his humor, patience, kindness and civic spirit. He created and tended to the beautiful gardens adjacent to the bank, cultivating it for fifteen years. In 2009, Bob was recognized with a Gloucester Citizenship Award, honoring ten citizens of Gloucester who have worked quietly and with diligence to benefit others, and by their actions have improved the quality of life in our community.
In addition to his loving wife of fifty-seven years, he is survived by his daughter, Dr. Donna A. Williams of Bozeman, MT, a daughter-in-law, Anne-Marie (Kiraly) Williams of Washington’s Crossing, PA, two grandchildren, Jannette K. Williams of Cherry Hill, NJ and Christopher K. Williams of Washington’s Crossing, PA, a cousin, Elizabeth (Colson) Evans of Littleton, CO, a brother-in-law, Dr. Richard E. Brown of Gloucester, dear friends, Edward and Isabelle MacLeod of Wenham and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his son, Bruce R. Williams.
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, August 9th in the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, corner of Church & Middle Street, Gloucester at 3 p.m. Interment with military honors will be held on Monday in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, East Gloucester at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Please omit flowers. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, 10 Church St., Gloucester or to the Cape Ann Y.M.C.A. 71 Middle St., Gloucester.